Get set for digital: Read our guide to preparing for the digital switchover

Digital TV Switchover Guide - Get set for digital

UK TV Region Map What is the digital switchover?
The "digital TV switchover" is name used to describe the process of turning off the UK's analogue TV signal and replacing it with a digital signal. In order to keep your TV service, you'll need to convert all of the TVs in your house to digital, or replace them, before your area's switchover date.

There are lots of advantages to having a TV with a digital signal. These include access to more channels than the standard analogue service offered, a higher quality picture and access to interactive services and music channels. If you don't convert or replace your existing non-digital TV before your area switches, then you'll no longer be able to watch your favourite programmes. The digital switchover is Government policy and affects the whole of the UK. Click here for more information on what the digital switchover is and why it's happening.

How can BT Help?

BT Vision is BT's digital TV service. It has all your Freeview channels, a digital TV recorder and much more. And the great news is there's no compulsory subscription, so you only pay for what you want to watch. BT Vision is a world away from analogue TV and gives you so much more than Freeview.

How can I find out when my house will switch to the digital signal?
The digital switchover won't affect all homes in the UK at the same time. Instead, the change will be rolled out across the country TV region by TV region. Even within a specific TV region there may be more than one switchover date depending on how many "transmitter groups" there are. Exact switchover dates haven't been confirmed yet for all regions, however some areas are due to switch very soon indeed (if they haven't done so already) as shown in pink on the map opposite. You can find out the exact switchover date for your postcode by visiting the official Digital UK website now.

How can I get ready to receive the digital signal?
There are three main ways that you can get ready for the digital switchover...

Replace your current non-digital TV with a new model that includes an in-built digital turner;
Convert your existing non-digital TV by connecting it to an external digital receiver; or
Get a TV subscription service such at BT Vision - the subscription service will provide your TV with the digital signal

To learn more about each of these three options, simply click the relevant banner below:

Purchase a new TV: Most new TVs include a built-in digital tuner allowing you to receive the new digital TV channels now (subject to coverage), even if your area doesn’t turn off the analogue system for a while. Plus, today’s flat screen TVs are more compact than bulky analogue sets and are likely to have much improved picture clarity and quality.

Purchase a digital receiver: If you don’t want to replace your TV, you can receive the new digital signal by attaching a separate receiver to your existing set which will give you up to 48 digital TV channels (suject to coverage). Either choose a basic standalone freeview receiver, or go for a hard drive with a receiver built-in to enjoy the added benefits of being able to record, pause and rewind live TV. Alternatively, choose a DVD recorder with a built-in Freeview receiver.


If you've already got a digital TV but your picture isn't great, you may need an aerial booster to receive all the new digital TV channels (subject to coverage). This might apply if your second TV is in your bedroom or kitchen and not connected to your main aerial, but uses a "set top" aerial instead.	If your main TV is already set up to receive digital TV, you can "send" the signal to other TV sets in the house (like your bedroom or kitchen) by using a gadget called a video sender. This is a great way to "share" the subscription services you have on your main TV with other TV sets in your house. Whilst a great idea, a drawback in that viewers of TVs in other rooms will need to watch the same channel and programme that's showing on the main TV.

Aerial boosters - If your TV is equipped to receive digital channels already but your reception isn't great, you may need an aerial booster to get all the channels available. Click for details

If you already have digital-enabled TV (perhaps on the main TV in your house), you can send the signal to other TVs in the house wirlessly using a video sender. Click for more details.

If you've already got a digital TV but your picture isn't great, you may need an aerial booster to receive all the new digital TV channels (subject to coverage).

This might apply if your second TV is in your bedroom or kitchen and not connected to your main aerial, but uses a "set top" aerial instead.

If your main TV is already set up to receive digital TV, you can "send" the signal to other TV sets in the house (like your bedroom or kitchen) by using a gadget called a video sender.

This is a great way to "share" the subscription services you have on your main TV with other TV sets in your house. Whilst a great idea, a drawback in that viewers of TVs in other rooms will need to watch the same channel and programme that's showing on the main TV.

Learn more

Get set for digital: Read our guide to preparing for the digital switchover